Home, home on the range...

We left for Michigan on a Saturday. We arrived late that night, exhausted but glad to be home. Steven's birthday was Sunday and he was overjoyed to spend it with family. Monday, my parents and I along with my sister Becky and her son headed up to the land of grandparents past for a day of blueberry picking, cemetery exploring and pizza devouring. Mid-pizza slice, I received a call from my dearly beloved, telling me that a church member, Mr. Bill had passed away and that Steven was needed in Memphis. He left. I stayed. My dad's retirement party was Tuesday. Goodbye to General Motors after 45 years. I spent the morning shopping and the rest of the day cooking and trying not to mingle.

Mixed in were picnics with the family, playtime with the niece and nephews, church services and relaxation. Well, a bit at least.

Then on Sunday, my parents drove with me (since Steven had the car, remember) back to Memphis. Steven returned to Michigan on Monday morning to "finish his vacation" and my parents stayed with me in Memphis until Thursday morning. Confused yet? I sure am.

On Thursday evening, Steven was mugged outside a Meijer's store. Four guys in a car pulled up to him as he was walking to his vehicle and two of them jumped out and started beating on him. They touched not his money, nor car keys nor wallet. No, these brilliant overachievers stole my husband's groceries: a two-liter of Vernor's ginger ale and a package of CD-Rs. Oh, and some birthday wrapping paper. About $20 worth of miscellaneous junk. Well, except the ginger ale. I might knock somebody over the head for some Vernor's, too. After I hit "post" on this, I'm going to make a concentrated effort to stop being angry about this. I vow not to fly to Michigan and hunt down a carful of dunderheaded morons and rip their faces off.

*Sigh*

My dad and I didn't get to have our air hockey showdown. Instead, we settled for Wii Tennis. Which I beat him at. Soundly. I'm a sore loser but a really annoying winner.

Pictures will prove this feat, after I get my mom to email them to me. (Mom?)

In short, I'm back. I hope you missed me. I hope you noticed I was gone. I'm caught up on the six hundred or so blog posts that were waiting for me. God bless Google Reader.

Happy Independence Day!

I don't know about you, but reading this makes me all tingly. Cue The Star-Spangled Banner...

--------------------

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

Image by Montwerx via Flickr

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security...

--------------------

Praise God for men who were courageous enough to stand up for what they knew to be right. And for the men and women who fought (and still fight!) to keep us free.

Here's hoping you're all celebrating in your own way.

Happy Birthday, America!

Can You Dig It?

Yes, I can. I've been waiting such a long time. For today...



Que Sarah on holiday. I'll be back next week.

Peace to you...

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

My mom gains another year today. It was a little difficult finding a picture of her since she's normally the one behind the camera. And when she is caught in a picture, she's wearing her grandchildren like a blanket. Isn't she lovely? She raised four kids with love and affection and is now a source of joy to five grandkids.

And why not? My mother is the most humble and gentle and loving person I know. Not just to her family, but to everyone who knows her. Her church family knows she can be counted on to do whatever is asked of her, be it small or important, and she often doesn't receive the credit she deserves.

One of my favorite memories is her reading us the "Little House" books before bed each night. She even sang the "Old Dan Tucker" song in it.

Also, she used to sing in the Praise Team at church and I loved when she'd look at me with an upraised eyebrow as if to ask, "How am I doing?" She's got the most beautiful voice.

Here's the best one, though:
Steven and I drove up to Michigan one Thanksgiving without telling our families we were coming. I'll never forget the look on her face when I showed up at the front door. I was wearing sunglasses and my hat and coat and through the distorted glass of the front door window I must have looked like my sister because she greeted me with a "Good morning, Patti!" and then when she realized it was me I got the world's best spine-crunching Mom hug and an enthusiastic "Sarah!" Repeat times five other family members and you get the best Thanksgiving ever.

Happy Birthday, Mommy! You'll never get Christmas wrapping paper from me!

-------

Not only is this my Mommy's birthday, it's my 100TH POST! Kudos to my family for being such excellent blog fodder. Need proof? Click here, here, here, or here.

Don't worry, you're not tagged...

Joy from Joy of Desserts tagged me for this Thanksgiving Meme.

There are only two easy rules:
1. Post these rules when you participate in this meme.
2. Link to the people you tag as well as the person who tagged you.

Here we go...

1. Which do you like better: hosting Thanksgiving at your home, or going elsewhere?

Hosting myself. Though if I had an opportunity to visit my family for Thanksgiving, I'd be there in a heartbeat. I love the cooking, the smells, the guys watching football...

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen turkey? Organic? Free-range?

Eh, I get whatever's on sale. Though in the future, I will avoid Wal-Mart's meat like bubonic plague.

3. Do you make stuffing or dressing? What kind?

Well, dressing is one thing Steve's pretty clear on: he likes Stovetop. However, due to some recent dietary changes, Stovetop Stuffing is not an option. I'm making dressing myself this year for the First Time Ever. I'm excited!

4. Sweet potato pie or Pumpkin pie?

Sweet potato. Maybe with a touch of whipped cream (AKA "calf slobber" or "lickdab" in the house of Kennedy) (that would be my family, not the President. I have no idea what they call whipped cream.)

5. Are leftovers a blessing or a curse?

Definitely a blessing. Mmmm, leftover turkey and mac n'cheese...ooh and don't get me started on the ham rolls. Though I doubt they count as leftovers if you go rescue them from the fridge an hour after dinner.

6. What side dishes are a must-have in your family?

Patti's mac n'cheese. Oh, and her green bean casserole. HAM ROLLS. Apple rings (though I'm the only one to eat them). Mom's yummy mashed taters.

7. What do you wish you had that might make Thanksgiving easier?

I'm with Joy on this one. More space. And a maid for dish washing. And a convection oven.

8. If/when you go to someone else’s house for the holiday, do you usually bring a dish? If so, what is it?

Last year was the first year I didn't cook Thanksgiving dinner. We went to a church member's house and had a lovely meal. She asked me to bring dessert and I prepared a Lemon Meringue Cake and an Apple Pecan Pie. That cake was so darn good I could have eaten it all myself before dinner. God bless Martha Stewart. And Swiss meringue. And lemon curd. Mmmmm.

9. What do you wish one of your guests would bring to your house?

Strawberry rhubarb pie. Ooh, and more ham rolls never hurt anyone.

10. What do you wish one of your guests would NOT bring to your house?

Bologna salad. Please, don't ask.

11. Do you stick with a particular menu from year to year, or do you mix it up?

I like the traditional stuff: turkey, sweet potatoes, etc, but I do like to add new things (like cream puffs for dessert this year! Woot!

12. Is Thanksgiving a religious or secular holiday in your home?

Neither. It's a day when we gather with family to enjoy a meal and each other's company.

13. Share one Thanksgiving tradition.

Tradition has sort of gone out the window, what with us being away from our families so long. You'd think in the last seven years we would have come up with some traditions of our own, but alas, it is not to be.

14. Share one Thanksgiving memory.

Our last Thanksgiving in Kentucky, we were busily packing for the move to Memphis. We took just a little time to eat an adequate, though small and hastily prepared meal for the two of us when there was a knock at the door. Our pastor and a church member stopped by to wish us a good holiday and to bring us a delicious Thanksgiving meal. Their thoughtfulness was so very appreciated.

15. Name five things you’re thankful for.

1. Family
2. TWO days off work (sorry, I couldn't resist)
3. A new nephew to meet once we get back to Michigan
4. The means to provide a meal and a home and the loved ones to share it with
5. My dear hubby, who supports me in everything without question (and who has promised to clean the house, including the toilets, while I cook dinner).

Since I recently went a little tag-happy, I'll leave it up to you. Do it or don't but let me know if you do so I can check out your answers...